SANTA BARBARA, CA – April 24, 2012 – Dream Foundation, the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness, is pleased to announce a new appointment to the Honorary Board of Governors.
Dr. David T. Feinberg has joined the board. CEO and Vice Chancellor of UCLA Health Services, he was introduced to Dream Foundation by supporter, Donna Karan, and Honorary Board of Governors member and founding Ambassador, Priscilla Presley.
Dr. Feinberg oversees the hospital-based inpatient and outpatient operations of one of the leading academic healthcare systems in the United States. UCLA Hospital System includes Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA in Westwood and Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital. These hospitals treat more than 80,000 patients each year and are consistently ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
Dr. Feinberg also is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry on the faculty of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
In addition to his commitment to upholding the highest clinical standards for patient care and safety, Dr. Feinberg’s primary goal is to ensure patient satisfaction. Under his leadership, patient satisfaction has increased dramatically, and stands in the 99th percentile in many areas, according to independent national surveys.
Dr. Feinberg is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including being named to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honors society, and he is a member of many professional associations. He has published numerous articles and is a sought-after speaker on the subjects of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, pediatric bipolar disorder, pediatric depression and adolescent substance abuse.
“Dream Foundation enriches lives in a such a meaningful way,” Dr. Feinberg says. “It is my privilege to serve as an honorary board member. ”
He will serve alongside Joely Fisher, Stan Fishman, Kathy Ireland, Howard Phanstiel, Priscilla Presley, Andrew Puzder, Angie Redding, David Steffy, Eileen Sweeney, Clay Timon and Diane Warren.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – April 24, 2012 – Dream Foundation, the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness, is pleased to announce a new appointment to the Board of Directors.
Longtime supporter, Bobby Shand, has joined the board. As Founder of The Shand Group (TSG) – a full service advertising agency with expertise in marketing luxury products – he brings a wealth of marketing expertise to Dream Foundation. Shand has guided TSG through many successful brand development and marketing initiatives for such well-recognized names as Absolut, Adidas, Platinum Guild International, Chrysler, GIA, IWC, A. Lange & Sohne and Tag Heuer, to name a few.
Shand’s unflagging dedication to client satisfaction has ensured that TSG projects are successful, innovative and rewarding for all of the participants. He has been married to wife, Susan, for 17 years, and has two children, Ryan and Justin.
“I am honored to be a part of Dream Foundation and the committed community that it has inspired since its inception,” Shand says.
Serving with him on the Board of Directors are David Glickman, Hollye Harrington Jacobs, Thomas Rollerson, Richard Burnham, David Johnson, Bob Murphy and Kenneth P. Slaught.
Santa Barbara, CA – Dream Foundation – the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness – will fulfill Bonnie Phillips’ final wish to have a special night out with her husband, sisters and family. Adding to the dream experience, Dream Foundation – in partnership with David’s Bridal, the nation’s leading and most trusted bridal and special occasion authority – will send Bonnie on a shopping experience to find the perfect dress for her big night out.
Bonnie’s dream shopping excursioin will be happening at the David’s Bridal in Oakdale, MN (8304 3rd Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128), on Wednesday, March 14 at 12:00 p.m.
Last November, upon receiving a prognosis of less than six months due to metastatic small cell lung cancer, Bonnie, a 65-year-old Lindstrom, Minnesota resident, began to explore ways to make best of the time she had left. Two months ago, she contacted Dream Foundation with a letter stating, “My dream is, and always has been, my wonderful family. We all love musical theater and good food. I would like to spend one last night with them.”
Wearing the dress David’s Bridal will donate as part of her shopping excursion, Bonnie will enjoy her dream night out with her family on Sunday March 25, complete with tickets to the show, Memphis, followed by a lobster dinner at a to-be-determined restaurant.
“This is the underlying theme to so many of the dreams we serve: to enjoy special moments with loved-ones,” said Erinn Lynch of Dream Foundation. “We are proud to be part of Bonnie’s dream – and we hope her experienced is filled with laughter, joy and memories to cherish.”
“It is our honor to help Bonnie find her dream dress for a night her family will remember forever. Not only are we dedicated to making her feel very special, we want her to have a lot of fun choosing from the variety of styles during her visit at David’s Bridal,” said Denise Rivers, Store Manager of David’s Bridal in Oakdale.
About David’s Bridal
With more than 50 years of experience dressing women of all ages for life’s special occasions, David’s Bridal understands the importance of providing brides-to-be with a vast selection of exquisitely crafted bridal gowns and bridal party dresses. Known for outstanding value, fashionable designs and the ease of one-stop shopping, nearly 50% of all brides in the US choose to shop at one of David’s over 300 stores located across the US and in Puerto Rico. Working with a knowledgeable bridal consultant, a customer can enjoy trying on a wide selection of gowns and dresses in her size with the added convenience that most styles are available to take home the same day. To learn more about David’s Bridal, visit www.davidsbridal.com.
Santa Barbara, CA – Dream Foundation – the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness – will fulfill Julie Harding-Beck’s final wish to bring joy to the lives of her three children, who have been devastated by the effects of terminal illness.
With a prognosis of less than six months due to advanced-stage breast cancer, Julie, a 43-year-old Oceanside, Calif. resident and single mother will be taking her kids on the Disneyland vacation she’s always dreamed – but never been able – to realize on her own.
“My children’s lives have been filled with cancer and sickness for three years,” Julie tells Dream Foundation. “They need to know some happiness.”
At 2:30 p.m., Friday, February 22, Genentech volunteers representing the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based foundation will arrive at Julie’s home, 2014 San Remo Dr., Oceanside – presenting her and her kids with four nights’ accommodations at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel (for March 3-7) and tickets for two days at Disneyland and one day at Universal Studios. To enhance the dream experience, the volunteers will surprise the 12-year-old and eight-year-old twins with Disney-themed treats and memorabilia. A professional photographer will be there to capture the memories unfolding.
Julie’s Disney dream is emerging amid considerable hardship. A 13-year teacher in the Oceanside Unified School District, she had felt healthy and fulfilled in her career and personal life. Then in 2009 she received her cancer diagnosis. By 2010 her doctor had given her a two percent chance of survival. Three months after that, she says her husband left, “unable to deal with the stresses of it all.” Now, amid frequent and aggressive medical treatments, Julie struggles to raise her family on disability payments alone.
According to Dream Foundation President and Founder, Thomas Rollerson, the opportunity for a special vacation and – more importantly – making permanent, lasting memories, is crucial for this family. “Coping with the impending loss of their mother is the most difficult challenge these children will ever face. It is our mission to provide them whatever joy we can. Helping make a final dream come true for people like Julie is our daily inspiration.”
Santa Barbara, CA – With a prognosis of less than three months to live due to advanced-stage heart disease, 88-year-old St. Louis resident, Dorothy White, will experience her wish to reunite with the man she loves but is separated from by distance, the poor state of each of their health, and – most pivotally – that both have been too shy to share their mutual feelings of admiration and love.
Her dream is being fulfilled by the Santa Barbara, California-based Dream Foundation – the first and largest national wish-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness.
At 5 p.m., Saturday, February 18, the pair – each escorted by their respective caregivers – will come together one last time, for a belated Valentine’s Day dinner at Ryan’s Steakhouse, 7597 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis. In preparation for the dinner, Dorothy will receive a new outfit and a trip to the beauty salon.
Dorothy and Ralph originally connected in the early 1980s when Dorothy’s sister, Marilyn, died. Marilyn and Ralph had been married. In his grief, Ralph began helping Dorothy (also a young widow) around her home – bringing in trashcans, delivering groceries, and even making her house payment when times got tough. They were neighbors for 40 years and had nurtured a close relationship. But, out of respect
to Marilyn, Dorothy said they never disclosed their feelings to anyone – including one another – and only ever called each other, “friend.”
As Dorothy’s health declined she moved to a nursing home out of town. Ralph – himself battling terminal cancer – continued to check in on her empty house, but their visits became few and far between. Ralph has finally revealed his love for Dorothy to her family; she’s confided the same thing to her nurse.
“I want Ralph to be my Valentine,” Dortothy also told Dream Foundation. “He’s my favorite man in the world.”
According to Dream Foundation President and Founder, Thomas Rollerson, the opportunity for a special night out is so profound for this pair. “It’s a love story validated. And after so many years, what could be more fulfilling – and provide more closure – than that? Helping make a final dream come true for people like Dorothy is our daily inspiration.”